TWO NEWI students' union work-ers have won claims for unfair dismissal.

But though she won her case on a technicality Melanie McClave would almost certainly have been sacked properly a month later, an employment tribunal ruled.

Mrs McClave was commercial accountant and general manager of the union, but at the five-day hearing in Abergele union officials told how they grew concerned over the way union affairs had been run.

During the tribunal it was admitted her dismissal, in September, 2002, was procedurally unfair because she was off sick at the time and was not called to a hearing.

But tribunal chairman Stuart Williams, in his judgment, said: "The respondent was in possession of a significant volume of evidence pointing to the conclusion that the applicant had been negligent in her duties, notably by making important payments to creditors late, by failing to co-operate with a VAT inspector and selling on to an out-side body beer purchased by the respondent at concessionary prices in breach of contractual terms."

Mrs McClave, of Trem-y-Ffair, Kinmel Bay, was alleged to have sold the cheap beer to Wrexham FC's Centenary Club.

"In the view of the tribunal," said Mr Williams, "there was no realistic prospect the applicant would continue to be employed for longer than it would have taken to arrange a fair procedure. That could have been done within a month."

The tribunal ruled she was entitled to compensation for that month and for &#xA3;300 in holiday pay.

Bar manager John Dilworth, of Llys Madoc, Towyn, resigned while also off sick after learning he was being replaced as one of the licensees of the union's Baldricks bar. He claimed constructive dismissal.

The tribunal ruled that removing his name without warning, without consulting him and without any compelling reason was a breach of the trust that should have existed.

"Further, by clearing property from the applicant's office they gave the outward impression to him and to others that he had been, or was about to be, removed from office," said the chairman.

A further hearing will be held to agree the terms of the settlement. Solicitor Tudor Williams, who represented the students' union, said he would be advising them to appeal against the decision in Mr Dilworth's case which he considered to be "legally wrong".